As one measure of how tilted toward players this free-agent market has become, the representative for Ted Lilly, a career 59-58 starter who has interest in San Francisco, said he could get on the phone today and snag the left-hander a four-year deal worth about $35 million.

When past markets have gotten this askew, the Giants largely shopped in the bargain section, but that might not be true now. According to multiple industry sources, the Giants, with more cash than usual to spend, have undertaken discussions with the priciest free agents, including slugger Carlos Lee and even this year's jewel in the crown, Alfonso Soriano.

That the Giants would investigate such players, who both roamed left field in 2006, suggests the front office is preparing to move on without Barry Bonds if he and the team cannot agree on a contract.

There are significant caveats: If these potent players actually command deals that they reportedly are seeking, $80 million over six years for Lee and $120 million over seven for Soriano, the Giants' chances decrease, for even with his satchel of cash heavier than before, general manager Brian Sabean must spread it around to as many as seven position players while fortifying the bullpen and rotation.

As such, the Giants are said to be investigating free agents all over the price board, and the more positions they fill sooner the less they will have available to spend later on premium players who extend the bidding to jack up the price. That includes Bonds, whose agent, Jeff Borris, has described a fertile market for his client.

In an interview Thursday night, Sabean said the value of the few contracts already signed and the numbers he is hearing for other free agents have been "eye-opening, but we'll still conduct our business and be proactive. I can't predict what twists or turn it will take for us."

Asked if the high price tags might tilt the Giants away from free agents and more toward trades, Sabean said, "Maybe a little more, but it's still the same tack: free agents first and as a fallback, trade scenarios."

While sources say the Giants are looking into top-tier position players, there is little chatter about them pursuing expensive pitching free agents such as Barry Zito, or even Jason Schmidt. Club officials have said they believe they have the strong foundation for a rotation and would rather try to find less expensive, middle-rotation pitchers.

That describes Lilly, who did himself and his accountant a huge favor by winning a career-best 15 games for Toronto before entering a free-agent market thin on starters.

The Giants were considered a contender for Lilly because he is from California, he has expressed a desire to pitch for San Francisco and his wife is pursuing a veterinary degree from UC Davis. However, Lilly's agent, Larry O'Brien, said Wednesday other teams have pursued Lilly more vigorously. His own team, the Blue Jays, and the Yankees reportedly are among them.

Moreover, O'Brien said Lilly is concerned less about geography and more about a team's prospects for winning.

"No. 1, with Ted, he was able to pitch in the postseason when he was in Oakland. He loved it," O'Brien said. "He wants to pitch in October. He wants to win a pennant. He wants to win a World Series. That's as much as a priority as whether he makes a deal for $35 million or $37 million or whatever.

"We've had some serious conversations with a number of clubs, four clubs that he thinks could get to the postseason, that he could help get to one."

The Giants are expected to look at lower-tier starters as well as those coming from Japan. There is talk they will bid for 27-year-old left-hander Kei Igawa when the Hanshin Tigers post him next week.

Briefly: The Giants have had no meaty discussions about re-signing second baseman Ray Durham. One source said there were conversations about a one-year deal, which Durham probably would reject unless there was a whale of a number next to the dollar sign. ... Second baseman Kevin Frandsen won the Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award, presented by the Arizona Fall League, where he was hitting .398 through Wednesday.